PM Narendra Modi on Monday released a Rs 100 coin in honour of former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Notably, Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on 16th August this year due to prolonged illness.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that our minds are not ready to believe that Atal Bihari Vajpayee is no longer with us. “He was a stalwart loved and respected across all sections of society,” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister further stated that over decades, Vajpayee’s voice remained the voice of the people. As a speaker, he was unparalleled. He is among the best orators our nation has produced, the Prime Minister noted.

PM Modi also noted that a long part of Vajpayee’s career was spent in the opposition benches but he always spoke about national interest. In the end, PM Modi said that Vajpayee wanted democracy to be supreme. He also expressed confidence that Vajpayee will continue to be an inspiration for all of us.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma, BJP national president Amit Shah and veteran BJP leader and Vajpayee’s contemporary LK Advani were also present at the event to release a coin in the memory of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The commemorative coin features the Emblem of India on the front face. The words Satyamev Jayate are inscribed below the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in Devanagri script. Also inscribed on the coin are the words ‘Bharat’ in Devanagri and ‘India’ in Roman script.

The coin’s value – Rs 100 – is also inscribed below the national emblem. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his name inscribed in both Devanagari and Roman. The years 1924 and 2018 are inscribed below Vajpayee’s portrait to mark the year of his birth and death respectively.